Pan-European card payments move a step closer
The Euro Alliance of Payment Schemes becomes reality

Wiesbaden, 5 September 2006 - Cardholders of European banks will soon be able to use their payment cards for transactions at Points of Sale (POS) and cash withdrawals in other European countries just as easily as in their home country. This is the goal declared by the major European card payment schemes that collectively stand for the majority of card payments in Europe and who have now founded the Euro Alliance of Payment Schemes (EAPS). In a landmark agreement, the "Wiesbaden Declaration", the executives of these card payment schemes agreed yesterday evening on important principles of cooperation that will enable the creation of a new alternative for pan-European payments. The alliance will bring significant additional benefits to banks, retailers and cardholders.

The founding EAPS members include the following card payment schemes:

• “electronic cash” and “Deutsches Geldautomaten-System” , Germany
• “EUFISERV”, European ATM scheme based in Brussels
• “Euro 6000”, Spain
• “LINK”, United Kingdom
• “Multibanco”, Portugal
• “PagoBancomat” and “Bancomat”, Italy

The new pan-European payment federation will operate on the basis of a common acceptance mark, allowing European cardholders and retailers to perform card payments and cash withdrawals with national payment cards across Europe’s national boundaries.
The first pilots between the founding members will be operational by the end of 2006 and will be successively expanded during the course of 2007.

Use of the existing and efficient infrastructures of the participating schemes and their member banks will allow high-performance payments products to be provided to retailers and consumers, quickly and cost-effectively.

Important step towards the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)

This pan-European solution will make a major contribution to achieving a Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) as requested by the European Commission and the European Central Bank.
The founders of the Euro Alliance of Payment Schemes invite all card schemes committed to the goals and principles of the Single Euro Payments Area to work together within the alliance. Schemes who have not yet chosen a specific SEPA implementation strategy can join the alliance or participate in the alliance work as "guests". The first participant with this guest status is Interpay from the Netherlands.

Declaration [PDF - 21 KB]

Contacts:

ZKA chair
Melanie Schmergal
Bundesverband der Deutschen
Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken e.V.
Phone: +49 (0)30 2021-1320

Heiner Herkenhoff
Bundesverband deutscher Banken e.V.
Phone: +49 (0)30 1663-1200

Dr. Stephan Rabe
Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands e.V.
Phone: +49 (0)30 8192-160

Stefan Marotzke
Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.
Phone: +49 (0)30 20225-5110

Dr. Helga Bender
Verband deutscher Pfandbriefbanken e.V.
Phone: +49 (0)30 20915-330